During the first week of June, surveys were completed to estimate prairie dog populations in the Metro District's four colony locations. East Big Dry Creek (west) was the only area with a population exceeding the carrying capacity. This area has an estimated 18 prairie dogs per acre on an 18-acre site. Due to site restrictions such as proximity to adjacent private property, drainage, trails, and roadways, as well as a history of dust issue complaints from adjacent property owners, the population carrying capacity for this area is approximately 14 prairie dogs per acre. An estimated 72 prairie dogs are to be removed from the colony. 

Staff is following the steps outlined in the management action protocol of the Metro District's Black-Tailed Prairie Dog Conservation Plan (Section 3, Page 8) to reduce the colony to carrying capacity: 

• There are currently no identified relocation release sites on Metro District property.
• Staff contacted Douglas County, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Pueblo Chemical Depot, and Rocky Flats for possible wild-to-wild relocation sites. Currently, there are no known relocation sites available.
• Staff contacted the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Black-Footed Ferret Program and the Birds of Prey Foundation for possible wild-to-Black-footed Ferret Program or wild-to-raptor program sites. Per their voicemail, the Black-Footed Ferret Program is on furlough due to funding, and Metro District staff could not find an alternative way to contact them. Birds of Prey Foundation will accept them if forced flushing (a.k.a. burrow flushing) is not used. The Metro District uses burrow flushing as method for removal. This eliminates the Birds of Prey Foundation as an alternative.
• Staff contacted the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance as a possible wild-to-raptor program site. The Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance will accept 10 burrow flushed and euthanized prairie dogs. As defined in #1 of the management action protocol, relocation or removal of 10 or fewer prairie dogs will be scrutinized closely to determine if it is prudent to relocate the animals. This provision reflects both the lower survival associated with small relocations and the disproportionate administrative and fiscal burden for the Metro District and Colorado Parks and Wildlife in relation to the ecological and societal benefit. 

Given these constraints, the Metro District will use lethal control (#6 of the management action protocol) using the CO₂ PERC system to achieve carrying capacity. 

The Metro District's conservation plan requires posting the planned management action at highlandsranch.org at least 30 days before implementation (#7 of the management action protocol). Posting occurred July 14, and implementation is scheduled for the week of Aug. 17.